Esters of N-substituted alkoxy methylene carbamilic acid

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula:   ARE OUTSTANDINGLY EFFECTIVE HERBICIDES PARTICULARLY WHEN USED AS SELECTIVE HERBICIDES AND ARE OUTSTANDINGLY TOLERATED BY CROP PLANTS.   IN WHICH R and R4 are, e.g., optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbyl; R1, R2, and R3 represent hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl and/or halogen; Furthermore R2 and R3 conjointly may represent a -(CH)4grouping to form a fused benzene ring with the adjacent atoms of the phenyl ring shown in the formula X is sulfur; Y is oxygen, sulfur or a group of the formula   D R A W I N G

United States Patent [1 1 Jager et al.

[ Mar. 4, 1975 i 1 ESTERS [75] Inventors: Gerhard Jager; Carl Metzger, both of Wuppertal-Elberfeld; Ludwig Eue; Robert Schmidt, both of Cologne, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Farbenfabriken Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, Germany [22] Filed: June 23, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 265,926

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 9, 1971 Germany 2l34l73 [52] U.S. Cl 260/455 A, 71/88, 71/92,

7l/l00, 260/2471, 260/2472 B, 260/268 S, 260/268 R, 260/3432 R I5 ll Int. Cl. C07c 155/02 (58] Field of Search 260/455 A [56] References Cited OTHER PUBLICATIONS Chem. Abstracts, pp. 5504-5, Vol. 55

Printttry Examiner-Lewis Gotts Assistant Ii.\'ttminer-D, R. Phillips Attorney, Agent, 01' FirmBurgess, Dinklage & Sprung [57] ABSTRACT Compounds of the formula:

4 CH -Y-R (I) 3 co-x-R in which R and R are, e.g., optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbyl;

R R and Rirepresent hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,

alkoxy, haloalkyl and/or halogen;

Furthermore R and R conjointly may represent a --(CH), grouping to form a'fused benzene ring with the adjacent atoms of the phenyl ring shown in the formula X is sulfur;

Y is oxygen, sulfur or a group of the formula are outstandingly effective herbicides particularly when used as selective herbicides and are outstandingly tolerated by crop plants.

30 Claims, No Drawings ESTERS The present invention relates to certain new narylcarbamic acid thiolester compounds to herbicidal compositions containing them and to their use as herbicides.

It has already been disclosed that N-phenylcarbamic acid esters, for example N-phenylcarbamic acid isopropyl ester and N-3-chlorophenyl-carbamic acid isopropyl ester, display herbicidal properties (compare US. Patent Specification 3,334,989 and German Auslegeschriften (German Published Specifications) 1,159,432 and 1,188,588).

However, the herbicidal action of N-phenylcarbamic acid isopropyl ester is not satisfactory if desirably low amounts and concentrations are used, especially against broadleafed weeds and against varieties of millet, both when applied by the pre-emergence method and the post-emergence method. N-3-chlorophenylcarbamic acid is opropyl ester, on the other hand, is effective against broad-leafed weeds and varieties of millet, but its toleration by crop plants is less, so that, for example, it cannot be employed for the selective combating of weeds in beet crops.

The present invention provides N-aryl-carbamic acid thiolester compounds of the general formula 2 4 R CH Y-R CO-X-R R. is an aliphatic hydrocarbyl radical optionally substituted with haloor hydroxy, erg, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, formyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkylthiocarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, or represents optionally substituted aryl, aralkyl, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl; or, if Y is oxygen or sulphur, R, can be the group or, if Y is oxygen, R, can be the group if Y is -N-R R can be, together with R an alkylene bridge which, with the inclusion of amine nitrogen, forms a five-, sixor seven-membered heterocyclic ring which can contain further heteroatoms or heterogroups,

R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or optionally substituted aryl, and

R is the same as R except that R cannot be the groups formyl and the alkylene bridge.

Surprisingly, the N-aryl-carbamic acid thiolesters ac cording to the invention display a considerably higher herbicidal acitivity, with better toleration by crop plants, than the knoqn N-phenyland N-3-chlorophenyl-carbamic acid isopropyl esters, which are the chemically nearest substances of the same type of action. The substances according to the invention thus represent a valuable enrichment of the art.

Preferably, R is straight-chain or branched alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or haloalkyl, in each case offrom 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the latter with l to 3 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or R is alkenyl, hydroxyalkenyl or haloalkenyl, in each case with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and the latter with l to 3 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or represents alkynyl, hydroxyalkynyl or haloalkynyl with, in each case, 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and the latter with l to 4 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or represents straight-chain or branched alkoxyalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety and 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or represents aralkyl with l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety (which latter moiety may be substituted by halogen, branched or straight-chain alkyl with l to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 to 3 halogen atoms, and/or nitro) or represents cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl with 5 to 8 carbon atoms; R R and R which can be identical or different represent hydrogen, straight-chain or banched alkyl with l to 4 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl with 5 to 7 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with l or 2 carbon atoms and 2 to 5 chlorine or fluorine atoms, or fluorine, chlorine or bromine; R represents straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with l to 6 carbon atoms and with l to 3 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or represents straightchain or branched alkenyl with 2 to 10 carbon atoms, haloalkenyl, with 2 to 6 carbon atoms and with l to 4 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or represents straight-chain or branched alkynyl or haloalkynyl, in each case with 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and the latter with 1 to 4 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or represents formyl, or represents alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiethy and 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or represents alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl with l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and l to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety or represents alkylcarbonylalkyl with l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylcarbonyl moiety and l to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or represents optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl with 5 to 8 carbon atoms, or represents aryl, aralkyl, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl, in each case with 6 to ID carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and l to 4 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety (which aryl moiety can be substituted by fluorine, chlorine or bromine, or by straight-chain or branched alkyl with l to 3 carbon atoms, or by haloalkyl with l to 2 carbon atoms and l to 5 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or by straight-chain or branched alkoxy with l to 3 carbon atoms), or, if Y represents oxygen or sulphur, represents the group R -CO- or R CS, or, if Y represents oxygen represents the group R -SO (wherein R represents alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms and l or 2 halogen atoms, alkoxy with up to 3 carbon atoms or optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl with 6 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and for 2 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety; Y represents oxygen, sulphur, sulphonylor N-R wherein R represents hydrogen, straight-chain or branched or alkyloralkenyl with up to 3 carbon atoms or phenyl optionally substi tuted by halogen, by alkyl with up to 3 carbon atoms, by alkoxy with up to 3 carbon atoms or by trifluoromethyl, or R forms, together with R and with the inclusion of the amine nitrogen and optionally further oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur hetero atoms, a five, six or seven membered heterocyclic ring linked by an alkyl- Y Q of ene bridge with l to 5 carbon atoms. 55

The preferred halogens are chlorine and fluorine.

The invention also provides a process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (l) in which a. a N-chloromethyl-N-aryl-carbamic acid ester or tliiolcstcr of the general formula "a -c1 N 2 in which R, r, R R and X have the abovementioned meanings is reacted with an'alcohol, mercaptan, phenol, thiophenol, carboxylic acid, thiocarboxylic acid, sulphonic acid, sulphinic acid or amine of the gen eral formula (Ill) in which R and Y have the abovementioned meanings, in the presence of an acid-binding agent and optionally in the presence ofa diluent, or (b) a N-chloromethyl- N-aryl-carbamic acid derivative of the formula (ll) is reacted with a compound of the general formula on -c1 N(C H 2 c a oa 2 5 5 C r CO 5 4 9 -mr(c a c1 CH -OC H (IO-643 K If N-chloromethyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester and the sodium salt of a,a-dichloropropionic acid are used as starting substances, the course of the reaction in process variant (b) can be represented by the following formula 0 scheme NaO-C O-CCl CH The N-chloromethyl-N-aryl carbamic acid esters and thiolesters used as starting substances are generally defined by the formula (II).

Examples of the N-chloromethyl-N-aryl-carbamic acid esters include N-chloromethyl-N-phenylthiocarbamic acid S-methyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N- phenyl-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-phenyl-thiocarbanic acid S-propyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-phenyl-thiocarbamic acid S- isopropyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-phenylthiocarbamic acid S-butyl ester, N-chloromethyl- N-phenyl-thiocarbamic acid S-isobutyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-phenyl-thiocarbamic acid S-(sec.)- butyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N- (3-chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-methyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-isopropyl ester, N-chloromethyl -N-(3- chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-butyl ester, N-Chloromethyl-N-(3chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-isobutyl ester, Nchloromethyl-N(3- chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-(sec.)-butyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-phenylcarbamic acid isopropyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-phenyl-carbamic acid (2- chloroethyl) ester, N-chloromethyl-N-phenyl-carbamic acid (4-chlorobutinyl) esters, N-chloromethyl-N-(3- chlorophenyl)-carbamic acid isopropyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-carbamic acid (2- chlorethyl) ester, N-chloromethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)- carbamic acid (4-chlorobutinyl) ester, N chloromethyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-(3,4- dichlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-butyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-(2-methyl-5-chlorophenyl)- thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-(2- methyl-5-chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-butyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-(2-methyl-5-chlorophenyl)- carbamic acid isopropyl ester, Nchloromethyl-N-(2- methyl-S-chlorophenyl)-carbamic acid (2- chloroethyl)ester, N-chloromethyl-N-(2-methoxy 5- chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester, N- chloromethyl-N-(2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl)thiocarbamic acid S-butyl ester, N-chloromethyl- N-( 2mcthoxy-S-chlorophenyl )-carbamic acid isopropyl ester, N- chlorophenyl-N-(2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl)-carbamic acid (Zchloroethyl) ester, Nchloromethyl-N-(2,5- dichlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester, N chloromethyl-N-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-butyl ester, N-chloromethyl-N-(2,5dichlorophenyl)-carbamic acid isopropyl ester and N- chloromethyl-N-(2,S-dichlorophenyl)-carbamic acid (2-chloroethyl) ester.

The alcohols, mercaptans, phenols, thiophenols, carboxylic acids, thiocarboxylic acids, sulphonic acids, sulphinic acids, amines and their salts to be used as reactants are generally defined by the formulae (III) and (IV).

A in the formula (IV) represents a cation, such as ammonium, alkylammonium, dialkylammonium or trialkylammonium with l to 4 carbon atoms in the straight-chain or branched alkyl radical, or an alkali metal cation, such as a sodium or potassium ion, or an alkaline earth metal cation, such as a magnesium or calcium ion.

As examples of the alcohols, mercaptans, phenols,

thiophenols, carboxylic acids, thiocarboxylic acids, sulphonic acids, sulphinic acids, amines and their salts which can be used according to the invention, the following may be mentioned indvidually: methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, tert.-butanol allyl alcohol, propargyl alcohol, 3-methylbutin-3-ol, buten-3-ol, 2- chloroethanol, 4-chloro-2-butinol, cyclohexanol, glycol monomethyl ether, benzyl alcohol, 2,4- dichlorophenol, 4-chloropenol, methylmercaptan, ethylmercaptan, propylmercaptan, isopropylmercaptan, allylmercaptan, benzylmercaptan, 4- chloreothiophenol, sodium acetate, sodium monochloroacetate, sodium dichloroacetate, sodium 2,2- dichloropropionate, sodium phenylacetate, sodium benzoate, potassium lactate, potassium xanthate, sodium thioacetate, sodium butyrate, sodium valerate, sodium propionte, sodium isobutyrate, sodium trifluoroacetate, sodium crotonate and formic acid. The alcohols, mercaptans, phenols, thiophenols, carboxylic acids, thiocarboxylic acids, sulphonic acids, sulphinic acids, amines and their salts of the formulae (III) and (IV) are known.

Suitable diluents in the reaction of process variant (a) include the inert organic solvents. These preferably include hydrocarbons such as benzine, benzene, and toluene; halogenated hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; and ethers, such as diethyl ether, dioxan or tetrahydrofuran.

As acid-binding agents, it is possible to use all customary acid-binding agents. These preferably include alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates and tertiary organic bases. The following may be mentioned individually as being particularly suitable: sodium carbonate, triethylamine and pyridine.

The reaction temperaturescan be varied over a wide range. In general, the reaction is carried out at from -20C to +100C, preferably -10C to +C.

In carrying out the process according to variant (a), each mol of N-chloromethyl-N-aryl-carbamic acid ester of the formula (II) is normally treated with 1 to 2 mols of the compounds of the formula (III) and l to 2 mols of an acid-binding agent. Going further beyond the stoichiometric ratios does not seem to result in any significant improvement in yield.

In order to isolate the compounds of the formula (I), the hydrochloride produced may be removed by filtering off and subsequent thorough washing the reaction solution with water, and the solution may be dried over freshly calcined sodium sulphate and subsequently distilled. To compounds of the formula (I) are in most cases water-clear liquids which can easily be distilled. IN some cases, however, oils which cannot be distilled are obtained.

Suitable diluents for the reaction of process varient (b) include the polar organic solvents. These preferably include nitriles, such as acetonitirle and tolunitrile, sulphoxides such as dimethylsulphoxide, and amides such as dimethylformamide.

The reaction temperatures can also be varied over a major range in this variant. In general, the reaction is carried out at from 0C to 150C, preferably 20C to C.

In carrying out the process according to variant (b), l to 2 mols of the compounds of the formula (IV) are normally employed for each mol of the compounds of the formula (I).

To isolate the compounds of the formula (I), the chloride produced may be filtered off, the filtrate evaporated to dryness and the residue taken up in an organic solvent. After brief shaking with water, the organic phase may be dried and thereafter the solvent may be distilled off in vacuo. The product thus obtained is in many cases pure and can, if necessary, be purified further by distillation.

The following examples are illustrative of the preparation of the instant compounds.

Example 1 Preparation of N-methoxymethyl-N-( 3-chlorophenyl )-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester SE-SCH CH (Compound 1) A mixture of 13.6 g (0.424 mol) of methanol and 21.4 g (0.212 mol) of triethylamine in 120 ml of anhydrous benzene is slowly added dropwise at C, whilst stirring and cooling with ice, to a solution of 56 g (0.212 mol) of N-chloromethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)- thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester in 150 ml of anhydrous benzene. Therafter the mixture is stirred for 1 hour at C, the resulting triethylamine hydrochloride is filtered off, the benzene solution is washed with water and dried over freshly calcined sodium sulphate, the solvent is distilled off and the crude carbamic acid ester is distilled in vacuo. 49.5 g (90% of theory) of N- methoxymethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S-ethyl ester of boiling point 134C/0.4 mm Hg are obtained.

Example 2 Preparation of N-ethyoxythio-carbonylthiomethyl-N-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester Ems A solution of 20.0 g (0.10 mol) of N-chloromethyl- N-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester in 100 ml of dry acetonitrile is added dropwise over the course of 20 minutes, whilst stirring, to a suspension of 24.0 g (0.15 mol) of potassium ethyl-xanthate in 250 ml of dry acetonitrile. 1n the course thereof, the temperature of the reaction mixture rises to C The potassium chloride which has separated out is filtered off, the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure, the residue is taken up in benzene and the benzene phase is washed with water and dried over calcined sodium sulphate. After distilling off the solvent, the residual solvent is removed by warming the liquid residue for one hour at 80C and 0.3 mm Hg. The N-ethoxythio-carbonylthiomethyl-N- phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester which remains can- 8 not be distilled without decomposition. 4.05 g (95% of theory) of carbamic acid ester of refractive index n =1.5848 are obtained.

Example 3 Preparation of N-morpholino-methyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- carbamic acid methyl ester CH -N 0 (Compound 3) COCH 34.9 g (0.4 mol) of morpholine dissolved in 50 ml of benzene are added dropwise over the course of 30 minutes, with vigorous stirring, to a solution of 53.6 g (0.2 mol) of N-chloromethyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- carbamic acid methyl ester in 350 m1 of dry benzene. Thereupon, the temperature of the reaction mixture rises to 60C. Thereafter the morpholine hydrochloride which has separated out is filtered off, the filtrate is washed with water and the benzene solution is dried over calcined sodium sulphate and evaporated. The N- moropholino-methyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- carbamic acid methyl ester thus obtained (57.5 g/% of theory) melts at 87-89C after recrystallisation from isopropanol.

Exampel 4 (Compound 4) COCH A solution of 22.0 g (0.11 mol) of N-chloromethyl- N-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester in 50 ml of acetonitrile is addded dropwise over the cours of course minutes to a suspension of 35.2 g (0.177 mol) of sodium p-chlorobenzenesulphinate in 250 ml of dry acetonitrile. After filtering off the salts, the mixture is evaporated to dryness, the residue is taken up in 300 ml of benzene, the benzene solution is washed with water and dried over calcined sodium sulphate and the solvent is distilled off under reduced pressure. N-(4- chlorophenyl-sulphonyl)-methyl-N-phenyl-carbamic acid methyl ester (52.5 g/87% of theory) is thus obtained, melting at l37l380C after recrystallisation from ethanol.

The compounds listed in Tables 1 to 4 below were obtained analogously. While the compounds are listed in Table 1 to 4 by giving the structures thereof, certain compounds listed therein are named in Table 5, to provide a convenient correlation of structures and chemical names.

Compound No.

Structure 60 ca OCH 01 N: 2 3 co sc a 66 N/CHZ o c0 Ca -Q co OC3H7 i 75 Q N/CH2 O CO C(CH3)3 co 0c n -1 N cri 0 c0 CC1 CH c1 82 :N/CH2-0-CO-CH3 I OCH co 00 a i 86 cn 0 co cc1 crr 00 sc a c1 88 C N/CHZ ocn co-o-ca-c=ca 01 102 N ca o col co oo n -1 c1 C1 109 Dbl CH 0 co ur c-G41 co ocrr cn -ct 116 N ca o co ca CH3 co oc n -1 CO OC H -i Qhemical Name N-methoxymethyl-N- (3 ,4-dich1oro=pheny1) thiolcarbamic acid ethyl ester N- (benzylcarbonyloxy) -methylL-N-phenyl carbamic acid isopropyl ester N-(tert. butylcarbonyloxy) -n1ethyl-N- (3-ch1orophenyl) -carbamic acid isopropyl ester N-(2,Z-dichloropropionyloxy) -methyl-N (3-ch1orophenyl) -carbamic acid isopropyl ester N-acetoxymethyl-N-(2-methoxy-5-ch1orophenyl) carbamic acid isopropyl ester N- (2,Z-dichloropropionyloxy) -methyl-N- (3,4-dichlorophenyl) -thiolcarbamic acid ethyl ester N-methoxymethy1-N-(3-chlorop'henyl) -carbamic acid but-(1) -in--(3) -yl ester N-(cyclopropylcarbonyloxy) -methyl-N-(3 ch1oropheny1)-carbamic acid isobutyl ester N-(Z ,4-dichlorophenoxymethylene-carbonyloxy)- methyl-N- (3-ch1oropheny1) -carbamic acid 2- chloroethyl ester N- (ll-chloropropionyloxy) -methy1-N-phenyl-carbamic acid isopropyl ester N- (4-tert. butyl-benzoyloxy) -methy1-N-pheny1- carbamic acid iscpropyl ester (Urtica), and groundse] (Senecio), and monocotyledons such as timothy (Phleum), bluegrass (Poa), fescue (Festuca), goosegrass (Eleusine), foxtail (Setaria), ryegrass (Lolium) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa).

The active compounds according to the present invention can be converted into the usual formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, pastes and granulates. these may be produced in known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is, liquid or solid or liquefied gaseous diluents or carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, that is, emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents. ln the case of the use of water as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents.

As liquid diluents or carriers, there are preferably used aromtic hydrocarbons, such as xylenes, toluene, benzene or alkyl naphthalenes, chlorinated aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as their ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, or strongly polar solvents, such as dimethyl form amide, dimethyl sulphoxide or acetonitrile, as well as water.

By liquefied gaseous diluents or carriers are meant liquids would be gaseous at normal temperatures and pressures, e.g. aerosol propellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. freon.

As solid diluents or carriers, there are preferably used ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, or ground synthetic minerals, such as highly-dispersed silicic acid, alumina or silicates,

Preferred examples of emulsifying agents include nonionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene-fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene-fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylarylpolyglycol ethers, alkyl suphonates, alkyl sulphates and aryl sulphonates; and preferred examples of dispersing agents include lignin, sulphite waste liquors and methyl cellulose.

The active compounds according to the invention may be used mixed with other active compounds.

The formulations contain, in general, from 0.1 to 95, per cent by weight of active compound.

The active compounds can be employed as such or in the form of their formulations or ready-to-apply forms prepared therefrom, such as ready-to-use solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, pastes and granules. They may be employed in the usual manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomising, sprinkling and dusting.

They can be applied both by the post-emergence method and by the pre-emergence method; they are preferably employed before emergence of the plants.

For actual application the compositions may be diluted. The amount of active compound employed can vary within substantial ranges. It depends essentially on the nature of the desired effect. In general, the amounts applied to an area of crop cultivation are from 0.1 to 25 kg/ha, preferably 0.5 to kg/ha.

The active compounds according to the invention can also be employed as plant growth regulators. They Some of them additonally display a fungitoxic activity.

The invention therefore provides a herbicidal composition containing as active ingredient a compound according to the invention in admixture with a solid or liquefied gaseous diluent or carrier or in admixture with a liquid diluent or carrier containing a surfaceactive agent.

The invention also provides a method of combating weeds which comprises applying to the weeds or their habitat a compound according to the invention alone or in the form of a composition containing as active ingredient a compound according to the invention in admixture with a diluent or carrier.

The invention also provides crops protected from damage by weeds be being grown in areas in which, immediately prior to and/or during the time of the growing, a compound according to the invention was applied alone orin admixture with a diluent or carrier. It will be seen that the usual methods of providing a harvested crop may be improved by the present invention. The inven tign is illustrated by the following Examples.

EXAMPLE A Pre-emergence test Solvent: 5 parts by weight of acetone Emulsifier: 1 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, the state amount of emulsifier is added and theh concentrate is then diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Seeds of the test plants are sown in normal soil and, after 24 hours, watered with the preparation of the active compound. It is expedient to keep constant the amount of water per unit area. The concentration of the active compound in the preparation is of no importance, only the amount ofactive compound applied per unit area being decisive. After three weeks, the degree of damage to the test plants is determined and characterised by the values 0 5, which have the following meaning:

0 no effect 1 slight damage or delay in growth 2 marked damage or inhibition of growth 3 heavy damage and only deficient development or only 50% emerged 4 plants partially destroyed after germination or only 25% emerged 5 plants completely dead or not emerged.

The active compounds, the amounts applied and the results obtained can be seen from the following Table furthermore posses insecticidal and acaricidal activity. .A.

Table A Pris-emergence test Active compound Amount of Sugar Galinsoga Urtlca Stellaria Matricaria Lolium active combeet pound used, kg/ha CO-O-CH(CH 10 2 2 4 4 .5 5 5 N\ 5 1 l 4 4 2.5 5

H 2.5 0 O 2 2 l 4.5 CO -CH( (known) 92 7 1o 4 4 5 4.5 4 5 5 4 3 5 4 3 5 (known) 2.5 3' 1 4 4 2 5 Pre-emergance teat Active compound Amount of Sugar Galinooga Urtica Stellaria Matricaria Loiium I active oombeet pound used, kg/ha CH --O-C H 10 O 4 5 5 3 5 5 Q K 5 o 4 4.5 4 2 5 cl OS-C H 2.5 2 n 4.5 4 2 compound (56) GH -O-CH(CH 1o 1 4 5 5 3 5 5 0 3 4 5 3 5 01 004-0 8 2-5 0 2 4 4 2 5 compound (58) Pro-emergence test Active compound Amount of Echino- Cheno- Sina- Stella- Lolium Galinliatri- Cotton Wheat: Maize active comchloa podium pie aria soga caria pound used kg/ha CO-O-Cll(CH 1O 4 2 2 4-5 5 2 3 2 5 5 2 5 s 1 O 4 5 1 .1 t 4 "a i O O 2 4-5 0 H (mm) 1.25 o o o 1 4 o o o 4 2 CO-O-CH(CH 10 5 4 4 4-5 5 4 4 2 4-5 4-5 N 5 5 4 3 4 5 3 3 2 4-5 4-5 2.5 5 3 3 4 5 l 2 l 4 3 H 1.25 4-5 2 2 3 4 O l O 2 3 Cl (known) COO-CH 1O 5 5 5 5 5 5 l l 2 3 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 0 O l 2.5 5 4 5 4-5 5 5 5 0 0 CH -O-C H 1.25 4-5 4 3 4 4 V 4 2 0 0 0 01 Compound (1,

2 4' R N/CHZ-Y-R (I) co-x-a R is aliphatic hydrocarbyl, halo-aliphatic hydrocarbyl or hydroxy-aliphatichyd ocarbyl of U0 8 carbon atoms;

R R and R are individually hydrogen, alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of from 5 to 7 carbon atoms, alkoxy of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of up to 2 carbon atoms, or halogen;

R and R taken together represent a (CH), grouping to form a fused benzene ring with the phenyl ring of formula I;

X is sulfur;

Y is oxygen;

R is straight-chain or branched alkyl of from I to 18 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, formyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and l to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkylcarbonylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylcarbonyl moiety and l to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl of from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety, aralkyl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and l to 4 carbon atoms in the e oietwqr, Rf can bethe group wherein Z is oxygen and R is the same as R except that R cannot be the groups and formyl.

2. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

3. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formual is alkenyl, hydroxyalkenyl, or haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

4. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkynyl, hydroxyalkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

5. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkoxyalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety and l to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.

6. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the fromula is arylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and wherein the aryl moiety may be substituted with halogen, alkyl or haloalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or nitro.

7. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl of from to 8 carbon atoms.

8. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R, R or R in the formula is hydrogen.

9. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R, R or R in the formula is alkyl of from 1 to- 4 carbon atoms.

10. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R, R or R in the formula is cycloalkyl of from 5 to 7 carbon atoms.

11. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R, R or R in the formula is haloalkyl of from 1 to 2 carbon atoms.

12. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

13. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

14. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is alkenyl of from 2 to carbon atoms.

15. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

16. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is alkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.

17. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is formyl.

18. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and from 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.

19. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl or alkylcarbonylalkyl containing a total of not more than 14 carbon atoms.

20. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is cycloalkyl or cyclalkenyl of from 5 to 8 carbon atoms. 21. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is aryl, aralkyl, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl, in each case with 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and l to 4 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety, which aryl moiety can be substituted by fluorine, chlorine or bromine, or by straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or by haloalkyl with l or 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or by straight-chain or branched alkoxy with l to 3 carbon atoms.

22. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is R CO- or R CS- wherein R is alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms and l or 2 halogen atoms, alkoxy with up to 3 carbon atoms or optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl with 6 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 or 2 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety.

23. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R R S0 wherein R is alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms and l or 2 halogen atoms, alkoxy with up to 3 carbon atoms or optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl with 6 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 or 2 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety.

24. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is straight-chain or branched alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, formyl alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl of from I to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl of from I to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and l to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkylcarbonylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylcarbonyl moiety and l to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl of from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety, aralkyl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.

25. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R is wherein Z is oxygen and R is the same as R except that R cannot be the groups .cll 29 27. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-ethoxymethyl-N-(3- chlorophenyl)- thiol carbamic acid n-bu'tyl ester.

28. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-ethoxymethyl-N-(3- chlorophenyl)-thio carbamic acid 2-chloroethyl ester.

30. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-isopropoxymethyl-N-(3- compound is designated N-prpargyloxymethyl-N-(3- 5 chlor0phenyl)-thiol carbamic acid n-butyl ester.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,869,490 Dated March 4, 1975 Gerhard Jager et a1.

Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Title of invention should read ESTERS 0F N-SUBSTITUTED ALKOXY METHYLENE CARBAMILIC ACID Signed and Scalzd this seventh Day of October-1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'lalenls and Trademarks FORM PO-105O (IO-69) USCOMM'DC UO376-P69 U15. GOVIRNIEN'Y PRINTING OFFICE: 9 o

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CORRECTION Patent No- 3 869J+9O Dated March 4 1975 Inventor) Gerhard Jager et al I Page 2 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 33, delete "alkyloralkenyl" and substitute therefor --alkyl or alkenyl-.

. Column 5, line 17 after S-ethyl ester, insert the following: --N-chl0romethyl-N- (3-chlorophenyl)-thiocarbamic acid S- propyl ester,-.

Column 8, line 1 delete "4.05 g" and substitute therefor "40.5 g-.

Column 8, line 51,

delete I "cours of course" and substitute therefor --course of l5--.

Column 8, line 61 delete "1380C" and substitute therefor --l38C-.

FORM PO-IOSO "0-59,

USCOMM'OC 60370-P69 Q UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CORRECTION Patent No. q g q qn Dat d March 9 Pa e 3 Inventor(s) Gerhard Jager et al g It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Columns 13 and 14 Table 2 Examples 72 through 87 h ppear as shown on the attached sheets. I u

Column 21, line 58, delete "plate" and insert therefor --plant-.

Column 21, line 65, delete "dicotylidons" and insert therefor -v-dicotyledons-.

Column 23, line 35 after 0.1 to 95, insert I -preferably 0.5 to 90,--.

o 4 Signed and Scaled this seventh Day of 0cto ber1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN d Altesling Officer Commissioner oj'Patenls and Trademarks I FORM PO-UJSO (10-69) USCOMu-OC 60315-959 I I! l GGVIIIIIIY III-III?- nlllf' llll ll-QIl-lll 

1. N-ARYL CARBAMIC ACID THIOLESTER COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
 3. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkenyl, hydroxyalkenyl, or haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 Carbon atoms.
 4. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkynyl, hydroxyalkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
 5. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is alkoxyalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety and 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.
 6. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the fromula is arylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and wherein the aryl moiety may be substituted with halogen, alkyl or haloalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or nitro.
 7. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R in the formula is cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl of from 5 to 8 carbon atoms.
 8. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R1, R2, or R3 in the formula is hydrogen.
 9. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R1, R2 or R3 in the formula is alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 10. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R1, R2 or R3 in the formula is cycloalkyl of from 5 to 7 carbon atoms.
 11. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of R1, R2 or R3 in the formula is haloalkyl of from 1 to 2 carbon atoms.
 12. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms.
 13. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
 14. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is alkenyl of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
 15. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.
 16. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is alkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
 17. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is formyl.
 18. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and from 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.
 19. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl or alkylcarbonylalkyl containing a total of not more than 14 carbon atoms.
 20. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is cycloalkyl or cyclalkenyl of from 5 to 8 carbon atoms.
 21. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is aryl, aralkyl, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl, in each case with 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety, which aryl moiety can be substituted by fluorine, chlorine or bromine, or by straight-chain or branched alkyl with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or by haloalkyl with 1 or 2 carbon atoms and 1 to 5 fluorine or chlorine atoms, or by straight-chain or branched alkoxy with 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
 22. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is R6-CO- or R6-CS- wherein R6 is alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms and 1 or 2 halogen atoms, alkoxy with up to 3 carbon atoms or optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl with 6 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 or 2 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety.
 23. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is R6-SO2 wherein R6 is alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms, haloalkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms and 1 or 2 halogen atoms, alkoxy with up to 3 carbon atoms or optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl with 6 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 or 2 carbon atoms in any alkyl moiety. Pg,51
 24. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is straight-chain or branched alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, haloalkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, haloalkenyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkynyl or haloalkynyl of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, formyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylthioalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and 2 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylthiocarbonylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy or alkylthio moiety and 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, alkylcarbonylalkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkylcarbonyl moiety and 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl of from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety, aralkyl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, aroxyalkyl or arylthioalkyl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms in the aryl moiety and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.
 25. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein R4 is
 26. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-methoxymethyl-N-phenyl-thiol carbamic acid isopropyl ester.
 27. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-ethoxymethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)- thiol carbamic acid n-butyl ester.
 28. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-propargyloxymethyl-N-(3-chloro phenyl)-thiol carbamic acid isopropyl ester.
 29. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-ethoxymethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-thiol carbamic acid 2-chloroethyl ester.
 30. Compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compound is designated N-isopropoxymethyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-thiol carbamic acid n-butyl ester. 